The Environmental Defense Fund is one of the largest environmental organizations in the United States. Pictured, above, is the cover of its Fall 2024 newsletter, "Solutions." As you will perhaps note, EDF appears to be equating your "Voice" with your "Vote." The cover says that "your voice matters." If you go to the article, inside, the headline is as follows: "Your vote matters."
Both things are true! I am in agreement with EDF that our "voice" and our "vote" both matter. I don't think, however, that they are exactly the same thing. Your "voice" is quite different from your "vote." I don't want anyone to think that they can "get off easy" by "voting" for the environment (or anything else) without actually "talking" about it.
Our "votes" are the individual increments of our personal political power. Our vote is precious, because it is not only a "symbol" of our political power; our vote is the actual power itself. Added up, our increment of political power joins with others to allocate governmental power to the candidates and causes we support. Let's never forget that (and to repeat myself) our vote is precious.
Our "voice," though is something different. Our "voice" is a tool of persuasion, not power. In a system of self-government, a system in which all citizens have the ability, through their vote, to allocate their individual political power, our "voices" are used to try to persuade others who have, as we do, an individual increment of political power. Our "voice" is our effort to persuade others to use their increment of power, as we are using ours, for the candidates and causes we believe in.
What's my big point, here? My big point is this: By all means, VOTE. Our last chance to cast our ballots is coming right up. But, "voting" is not enough, if you truly want to make our system of self-government work the way it is supposed to.
We need to engage in conversation with others - those who are likely to agree and those who are likely to be on the other side.
So, if you have already voted (or if you haven't), and if you have thoughts about the candidates and propositions upon which we will all be voting, please speak up. Let your "voice" be heard. Don't think that your "vote" is "all that counts."
Like the EDF says on the cover, shown above: "Your voice matters." Don't stand silent, please!
Please speak up and speak out, as we face some of the most consequential choices that we have ever faced, as a nation. Your "vote" matters. And so, independently, does your "voice." Tell your friends - and tell others - what you think (and why).
Let your voice he heard!
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